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West Java city outlaws Ahmadiyah sect
Yuli Tri Suwarni , The Jakarta Post , Bandung | Thu, 05/15/2008 1:21 AM | Headlines
Cimahi municipality in West Java has followed Sukabumi and Kuningan regencies in banning the Islamic sect Ahmadiyah, despite no formal ban from the central government.
Mayor Itoc Tochiya issued the order on May 6, a day after the local chapter of the Coordinating Board for the Supervision of Mystical Beliefs in Society (Bakor Pakem) recommended municipal authorities ban the sect for heresy.
Head of the Cimahi chapter of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Hafidz Sayuti, said the council urged the municipality to issue the ban "to protect sect members".
Sukabumi and Kuningan regencies, also in West Java, earlier issued orders banning the sect. These local actions come as the central government considers a nationwide ban on Ahmadiyah.
A mosque belonging to the sect in Parakan Salak, Sukabumi, was burned down on April 28 by Muslims demanding the government outlaw the group.
More than 50 families who are followers of the sect have been evicted from their villages in Ketapang, West Nusa Tenggara, and are now staying in temporary shelters at government buildings in Mataram.
Sayuti said the Cimahi chapter of the Indonesian Ulema Council had investigated the sect and found they continued to treat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as a prophet and that their teachings deviated from mainstream Islamic tenets.
"Wouldn't it minimize social tension if they stopped their activities?" Sayuti said Wednesday.
Cimahi is home to thousands of Ahmadis, one of the biggest concentrations of members in West Java, along with Sukabumi, Kuningan, Bogor and Bandung.
The ban was greeted by protests not only by Ahmadiyah members but also by an interfaith group, AKUR, which accused municipal authorities of ignoring human rights and violating the Constitution's guarantee of religious freedom.
AKUR coordinator Yaman Didu said the ban was contrary to the Constitution, which protects the rights of citizens and enshrines freedom of religion.
"We demand the mayor revoke the decision and retract statements published in the media," Didu said.
Head of the Bandung region Ahmadiyah youth wing, Zaki Firdaus, said the mayor had acted arbitrarily.
"We believe we have been carrying out our responsibilities as good citizens, so please treat us correctly," Zaki said.
He urged the central government to settle this issue fairly and wisely, in line with the Constitution and human rights.
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The Reader (not verified) — Thu, 05/15/2008 - 10:43am
Respected Mayor,
With humble submission i would like to request u to respect human being & their rights as u r the leader.Religious matters belong to Allah not Mullah.As, ahmadies are not involve in activities against the state u should not outlaw them. For fulfilment of few mullahs demand and for political reason u shouldn't outlaw ahmadies. Remember Allah is Almihty than u and mullah. U r invoking wrath of Allah,the Almighty , not only for u but also for the state by outlawing ahmadies.Fear Allah & don't go for injustice dicission.Look at Pakistan & afganistan and realize the truth.
Laiq Ahmad- Australia (not verified) — Thu, 05/15/2008 - 5:28am
Muslims in Indonesia need to show restraint, tolerance & acceptance of other minority groups in society. Failing to acknowledged that Ahmadis have the same rights to live a normal peaceful life as any other person without being demonised & persecuted by divisive so called "ulemas" & their followers; it would amount to great travesty of justice & gross abuse of the basic tenets of Islam.